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Cologne City Guide

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Welcome to Cologne! Cologne is situated on the banks of the River Rhine, in north-west Germany, close to the Dutch border. Cologne has a population of over 1 million, making it the fourth largest city in Germany. During World War II most of Cologne was destroyed, however, today the city is flourishing, and is an important educational and cultural centre, not only of Germany but also of Europe.

GETTING TO COLOGNEKöln/Bonn Airport (CGN) is situated 10 miles south of the city and welcomes daily domestic and European flights. There is a regular bus service and an S-Bahn train service connecting the airport with the city centre. You can also call one of the local taxi companies, if you prefer. If you are travelling by train, Köln Hauptbahnhof (main railway station) is located in the city centre. International buses arrive at Breslauer Platz, which is located at the rear of the Hauptbahnhof.(TIP: Another option for international students, is to fly to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) and connect with Cologne by train.)

GETTING AROUND COLOGNEPublic transport in Cologne is extensive and efficient. The city and surrounding area is serviced by buses, trams, U-Bahn (metro) and S-Bahn (commuter) trains. All public transport is linked together and tickets, which are inexpensive, can be used on all modes of transport. Cologne also operates an extensive cycle network. The city is cycle-friendly, providing cycle lanes throughout the city centre and even prioritising cyclists in some areas. Many student cycle or walk.

THINGS TO DO IN COLOGNECologne has a huge number of attractions to see. Enjoy a few hours at the Zoo, the Ludwig Museum or the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum, or visit the world renowned Cathedral. If you are a sports fan, there is 'Bundesliga 2' football at the RheinEnergieStadion, or why not visit the Sport & Olympia Museum, which is a sport fan's dream museum! For the more energetic, enjoy a run or a cycle through the city's streets and parks, such as the Rheinpark. We highly recommend taking a trip to the top of the Colonius, which is the tallest structure in Cologne, from where you can enjoy superb views of the whole city and surrounding area.

SHOPPING IN COLOGNECologne offers plenty of shopping opportunities. The most popular streets are Schildergasse and Hohe Straße, which offer small independent shops, big brand names and department stores. For more exclusive shopping why not try Ehrenstraße and Mittelstraße. If you prefer everything 'under one roof', try the Neumarkt Galerie or Galeria Kaufhof. If you are in the city in the lead up to Christmas, we highly recommend frequenting one of the city's numerous Christmas markets, especially the impressive market at the Cathedral.

STUDYING IN COLOGNE
Cologne is home to a number of universities and colleges including the Universität zu Köln, which is the largest university in Germany. Please visit the university section of the website for more information.

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